CARLISLE v DONCASTER – Pick: 2 AH+0.25 – 20 November 2012

Rovers look for another good away-day at Brunton Park

Brunton Park is my next stop as League One has a full schedule on Tuesday night with hosts Carlisle United taking on Doncaster Rovers who are knocking on the door of the play-offs.

Carlisle United have not had an enjoyable run of form in recent matches having lost three of their last four league matches with heavy home defeats against Bournemouth 2-4 and lower half team Leyton Orient 1-4 at the weekend, along with an away loss at Brentford. Just one point has been taken from the last twelve with a point against Preston North End.

In fact, The Cumbrians’ home form has been even worse with just one win in their last seven at Brunton Park which was a 3-1 win over disappointing Oldham Athletic, but this rare win is sandwiched between further previous losses against Crawley Town 0-2 and Notts County 0-4.

Carlisle’s home record stands at 2-2-5 12/22 and this is just a snapshot of what is a deeper problem for them; just one clean sheet in their last eleven home matches tells it’s own story and this statistic in my opinion gives the visitors Doncaster Rovers a very good chance indeed of gaining at least a point against them tonight, but more on that later.

Striker Joe Garner (6 goals) is their leading scorer and he has former Swindon play-maker Jon-Paul McGovern (3 assists) and Matty Robson (3 goals, 2 assists).

Visitors Doncaster Rovers may not be too worried about playing their third away match in five games if their current away form is anything to go by; an away record of 6-2-1 14/5 has set Donny up for a possible play-off berth and they are unbeaten in their last seven matches on their travels including straight wins over Colchester United, Leyton Orient, Tranmere Rovers, Notts County and Portsmouth.

Another important factor to consider is that Rovers have also kept four clean sheets in their last seven away matches as well which is another positive in their favour in tonight’s fixture. Only second placed Sheffield United are level with Doncaster Rovers in terms of their defensive record away from home having also conceded just 5 goals.

Winger David Cotterill (5 goals, 2 assists) is their leading scorer but he has good support from forwards Billy Paynter and Chris Brown (4 goals apiece) along with Canadian striker Iaian Hume (3 goals) who hit the winner at Portsmouth on Saturday.

The win at the weekend at Portsmouth sets Doncaster Rovers up nicely here tonight I reckon, but I’ll take the +0.25 handicap on them in case it’s a draw (in which case you win back half your stake).